Organic shampoo cleans oil and dirt from your hair without putting harsh and dangerous chemicals on your skin. The essential oils and fragrances in organic shampoos are produced without using pesticides or herbicides. Many are so safe that they're edible. They infuse your scalp and hair follicles with nutrients and natural vitamins.
Organic shampoos provide a safe alternative to the toxins you find in regular shampoos. Your scalp is soft and porous. It absorbs chemicals into your bloodstream. Some of these chemicals will be stored in your tissues and may remain there indefinitely. You are what you shampoo.
The essential oils and fragrances in organic shampoos originate in nature, not in stainless steel vats. Compared to regular shampoos, organic shampoos are
It’s worth a moment to read the ingredients the next time you’re shopping for hair care products.
What’s in Regular Shampoo?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - SLS is the principal foaming agent in most commercial shampoos. SLS is an anionic surfactant, which means that it’s highly effective at breaking up oily residues. This is why garages use SLS for engine degreasing, and for cleaning their floors. Car washes love SLS for the same reason.
SLS is subjected to a process called ethoxylation during production of commercial shampoos. Ethoxylation converts Sodium Lauryl Sulfate into Sodium Laureth Sulfate. A basic problem with the ethoxylation process is that it can create 1,4-dioxane as a contaminating byproduct. 1,4-dioxane is one of the principal ingredients in Agent Orange. It is a dangerous carcinogen.
1,4-dioxane is metabolized as an estrogen mimic, attaching itself to estrogen receptors in your body's cells, and can block the action of natural estrogen. It is associated with breast and endometrial cancers.
According to Wikipedia
“While the FDA encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law”
Removing chemical contaminants isn’t easy, and it’s certainly not free. Manufacturers aren’t legally obligated to try. Something to think about.
Apart from the spooky health implications, SLS is a caustic cleaning agent. This makes it a skin irritant, and it damages your hair whenever you use it.
Parabens - preservative chemicals widely used by the cosmetics industry. Several studies correlate parabens with increased risk of breast cancer. Parabens also behave as estrogen mimics.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - One of the main ingredients in brake fluid. It is also used as a solvent in inkjet printers.
If you’ve been using commercial shampoos for years, all of these agents are in your body now. If you want to get rid of them, you’ll need to adjust your habits.
What’s in Organic Shampoo?
100% natural ingredients. There is no one recipe, but common factors include
Organic Tea Tree Oil - Also known as melaleuca oil, it originates on the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil is a traditional aboriginal medicine with antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It shows particularly strong activity against Staphylococcus.
Beta Glucans - Polysaccharides derived from yeasts or medicinal mushrooms, beta glucans are natural immune system stimulants. Synthetic pharmaceuticals tend to overstimulate the immune system. Beta glucans avoid this problem, and the resultant side effects.
Aloe Vera - Originally from North Africa, aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory agent, and an antioxidant. Aloe vera is globally popular as a skin care agent. It aids digestion and blood pressure management.
Coconut Oil - Has many of the antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of organic tea tree oil, and is also an immune system stimulant.
Organic shampoos dispense with synthetic foaming agents like SLS, so your hair won't get as sudsy. What you will get is a healthier, more natural cleanliness.
Where Do I Find Organic Shampoo?
Most organic products stores will stock organic shampoos and organic conditioners. You can also choose from an enormous number of organic product websites. Many provide proof of organic certification.
To find more information government and third party certification programs, see the Wikipedia page at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification
